audition requirements

Audition Requirements: Symphony Orchestra and Wind EnsembleAuditions will include scales, a solo piece of your choosing showing contrasting styles, and sight reading at an appropriate level. For strings, the minimum entry level piece is equivalent to Suzuki Book 5 or the Bach a minor Concerto.Audition adjudicators will be listening for the musician to:

Demonstrate a practical range on a given instrument which includes mature tone quality, accurate intonation, and good posture

Demonstrate ability to tune his or her instrument

Demonstrate ability to count and play several rhythms accurately

Demonstrate good sight-reading ability

Audition Requirements:Bring in one or two pieces of contrasting styles that show the highest level of the musician’s proficiency; pieces should show the ability to play in several positions.Strings Scale Requirements (Major and minor): Scales should be memorized. Scale rhythmic pattern is a quarter note followed by eighth notes pattern at 92-104 bpm.

Winds and Brass Scale Requirements: Scales should be memorized. Scale rhythmic pattern is a quarter note followed by eighth notes pattern at 92-104 bpm. Winds and Brass should prepare ALL MAJOR scales. The chromatic scale requirements are as follows:

Flute: C-C three octaves

Oboe: C-C two octaves

Bassoon: Bb-F two and one-half octaves

Clarinet: F-F three octaves

Bass Clarinet: E-G two plus octaves

French Horn: G-G two octaves

Trumpet: C-C two octaves

Trombone: F-G two plus octaves

Tuba: F-F two octaves

Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone): low B flat to high E

Brass Requirements: Brass players must have professional mouthpieces.Percussion Requirements: Players must demonstrate skill on a range of instruments. Mallets should follow all major scales, two octaves.

Audition Requirements: Intermezzo Orchestra Auditions will include scales, a solo piece of your choosing showing contrasting styles, and sight reading at an appropriate level. Audition adjudicators will be listening for the following:

Ability to recognize and count basic rhythms

Ability to play with good tone, accurate intonation, and good posture

Ability to sight-read a simple piece

Skill Level for Strings:

Ability to play at a minimum level equivalent to the end of Violin Suzuki Book 3 through Book 4 or beginning of Book 5

All strings: some ability to shift to and play in third position

Ability to play with good position, good bow hold

Ability to note read all notes in first position for all strings

Ability to tune own violin with minimal assistance

In order to maintain good posture (which is essential to good playing), some kind of shoulder pad (any thickness) will be used by all violinists and violists while playing in orchestra

Strings Scale Requirements: Scales should be memorized. Scale rhythmic pattern is a quarter note followed by eighth notes pattern at 84-96 bpm. String players should demonstrate the ability to play two octave scales in tune in the following keys.

Violin: two octaves C, G, D, A, F, B flat, E flat

Viola: two octaves - C, D, E flat, F, G, A; one octave - B flat

Cello: two octaves - C, D, E flat, F, G Major; one octave - A, B flat

Double Bass: two octaves- C, F, G

Winds and Brass Scale Requirements:

Scale rhythmic pattern is a quarter note followed by eighth notes pattern at 84-96 bpm

Audition Requirements: Overture String Ensemble Auditions will include scales, a piece of your choosing, and sight reading at an appropriate level. The skill level for Overture is the end of Suzuki Book 2 through Book 3.Scale Requirements:

Violin: two octaves A, B flat, C, D, G

Viola/Cello: two octaves C, D, E flat, F; one octave B flat, G

Bass: one-octave scale of B flat, C, F, G

Audition Requirements: Prelude String Ensemble Auditions will include scales, a piece of your choosing, and sight reading at an appropriate level. The skill level for Prelude is the end of Suzuki Book 1 through Book 2.Scale Requirements:

Violin: two-octave scale of G; one-octave scale of A, C, D

Viola/Cello: two-octave scale of C; one-octave scale of D, F, G

Bass: one-octave scale of B flat, F, G

Audition Requirements: All Flute ChoirsAuditions will include scales, a solo piece of your choosing showing contrasting styles, and sight reading at an appropriate level.

Overview and General Requirements: We work hard to challenge each student within the flute choir setting, and expect all students to be relatively accomplished on their instrument and studying with a private teacher. Our goal is to spend rehearsals exploring a variety of musical styles and rehearsal techniques without having to spend time teaching individual parts. We are looking for flutists who can demonstrate the ability to come to rehearsals well- prepared and ready to be a positive member of their Flute Choir team.

Select Flute Choir - Geared toward the most advanced high school flutists, exceptional younger musicians may also be accepted

Two contrasting solo pieces or movements similar in level to Senior District/All-State, one of which must be from the 20th or 21st century. Chosen repertoire should demonstrate a variety of articulations, dynamic contrast, technical agility, flexible embouchure, and accurate pitch. Examples of appropriate composers include but are not limited to: Chaminade, Hindemith, Faure, Martinu, Bach, & Mozart

An exercise or excerpt demonstrating familiarity with harmonics

Sight reading at an appropriate level

Flute Choir - Geared toward high school players, exceptional younger students may also be accepted

All Major scales up to 3 sharps and 3 flats, 2 octaves

Chromatic scale, 3 octaves

Two contrasting solo pieces or movements similar in level to Junior/Senior District. Chosen repertoire must demonstrate slow and fast tempos with clear articulation, dynamic contrast, and tone/pitch control. Examples of appropriate composers include but are not limited to: Telemann, Handel, Godard, Marcello, Faure, & Gaubert

Two contrasting pieces or movements demonstrating a variety of rhythms, tonguing and slurring, dynamic contrast, and clear tone

Sight reading at an appropriate level

NMYO reserves the right to cancel an ensemble offering due to insufficient enrollment. In this case those affected will be notified as soon as possible and, if paid, a full audition fee, registration fee, and tuition refund will be issued.